Spine
The spine is a column of 33 bones, called vertebrae, that stack on top of each other, extending from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Most vertebrae are separated by discs that acts as shock absorbers for the spine.
The spinal column is the main structure to support movement. The structures of the spine also surround and protect the spinal cord, which is a nerve that stretches from the base of the brain to the lower back. The spinal cord allows complex communication between the brain and the body.
The spine is also sometimes called the spinal column or backbone.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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